Barrier systems with programmable acceleration profile and auto-retries for pressured egress

ABSTRACT

Barrier systems and associated methods, including vapor and/or fire barrier systems, are disclosed herein. One aspect of the invention is directed toward a barrier system that includes a barrier that is moved between a deployed position and a retracted position. The flexible barrier is configured to prevent migration of smoke or other harmful vapor, but to allow egress through the barrier upon request. A pressure gradient across the barrier can cause the barrier to bow and inhibit raising the barrier. A control system directs a drive system to stop raising the barrier, wait a predetermined time, and then raise the barrier again. In some embodiments, the barrier can be returned toward the deployed position before raising the barrier again.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and incorporates herein by referencethereto U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/173,938, titled“BARRIER SYSTEMS WITH PROGRAMMABLE ACCELERATION PROFILE AND AUTO-RETRIESFOR PRESSURED EGRESS,” filed Apr. 29, 2009.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to barrier systems andassociated methods, including vapor and/or fire barrier systems.

BACKGROUND

Smoke, fumes, and noxious gasses can be very dangerous to occupantsduring a building fire. It is well known that many fire-related deathsare the result of smoke inhalation. During a fire, or an event wheredangerous gases may be present, fumes are likely to travel very quicklythrough paths that offer little resistance. Paths such as elevatorshafts are often well drafted and provide an excellent avenue by whichsmoke and other dangerous gases can rapidly travel to otherwiseunaffected areas of a building. To prevent such a migration of dangerousgases, many devices and assemblies have been designed to limit thedispersal of such fumes by cutting off possible paths or openings.Examples of such devices are smoke screen assemblies disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 5,383,510, entitled APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RAPIDLY ANDRELIABLY SEALING OFF CERTAIN OPENINGS IN RESPONSE TO SMOKE, NOXIOUSFUMES OR CONTAMINATED AIR, issued Jan. 24, 1995; U.S. Pat. No.5,195,594, entitled APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RAPIDLY AND RELIABLYSEALING OFF CERTAIN EXIT AND ENTRANCE WAYS IN RESPONSE TO SMOKE OR FIRE,issued Mar. 23, 1993; U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,668, entitled SYSTEM ANDMETHOD FOR SEALING OPENINGS IN RESPONSE TO SMOKE, NOXIOUS FUMES, ORCONTAMINATED AIR USING A ROLL-DOWN BARRIER, issued Feb. 21, 2006; U.S.Pat. No. 7,028,742, entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SEALING OPENINGS INRESPONSE TO SMOKE, NOXIOUS FUMES, OR CONTAMINATED AIR USING A ROLL-DOWNBARRIER, issued Apr. 18, 2006; U.S. Patent Application No. 2006/0226103,entitled CLOSING MEMBER CONTROL SYSTEMS, INCLUDING DOOR CONTROL SYSTEMSFOR BARRIER HOUSINGS, AND ASSOCIATED METHODS, filed Oct. 12, 2006; U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/164,876, entitled BARRIER SYSTEMSAND ASSOCIATED METHODS, INCLUDING VAPOR AND/OR BARRIER SYSTEMS WITHMANUAL EGRESS, filed Mar. 30, 2009; and U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/750,552, entitled BARRIER SYSTEMS AND ASSOCIATED METHODS, INCLUDINGVAPOR AND/OR BARRIER SYSTEMS WITH MANUAL EGRESS, filed Mar. 30, 2010;each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

SUMMARY

This application discloses a barrier system and related methods thatovercome drawbacks experienced by the prior art and provide otherbenefits. In one embodiment, a barrier system comprises a flexiblebarrier having a leading edge, a trailing edge, and two side edges. Thebarrier is configured to deploy across a passage to divide the passageinto a first region and a second region to inhibit migration of vaporthrough the passage. Guide elements engage the two side edges to guidethe flexible barrier toward a deployed position across the passage. Adrive mechanism is coupled to the flexible barrier and is configured todeploy and retract the flexible barrier, wherein the drive mechanismdraws electrical current to move the flexible barrier to and from thedeployed position, and wherein the electrical current drawn by the drivemechanism is related to a motion-resistance force opposing barriermovement. A control system is operatively coupled to the drive mechanismand is configured to receive an egress request. The control system isconfigured to activate the drive mechanism to retract the flexiblebarrier away from the deployed position in response to the egressrequest. A current limit monitor is coupled to the control system and isconfigured to monitor the current drawn by the drive mechanism, whereinthe control system is configured to stop movement of the flexiblebarrier if the electrical current drawn by the drive mechanism exceeds athreshold value related to the motion-resistant force. The controlsystem waits a predetermined time period before reactivating the drivemechanism resuming movement of the flexible barrier.

In other embodiments, the system comprises a manually operated switchremote from the barrier and configured to provide an egress requestsignal to the control system, wherein the switch, when activated,transmits the egress request signal to the control system. The barriersystem is further configured such that after waiting the predeterminedtime period, the control system reversed direction of the drivemechanism to move the flexible barrier toward a deployed position for aselected duration, and then reverses the direction of the drivemechanism and attempts to retract the barrier away from the deployedposition. The predetermined time period can be between approximately 1and 2 seconds. In other embodiments, the barrier is configured to bepositioned in a wall adjacent to a generally vertical passageway and isconfigured to deploy generally horizontally such that the leading edgecontacts an opposing wall when in the deployed position.

Another embodiment provides a method of permitting egress through aflexible barrier deployed in a passageway to inhibit the migration ofvapor through the passageway, wherein the barrier divides the passagewaybetween a first and a second region. The method comprises receiving anegress request to move the barrier toward a retracted position, movingthe barrier toward the retracted position with a drive mechanism inresponse to the egress request, monitoring a current level in the drivemechanism, stopping the drive mechanism if the current level exceeds apredetermined threshold, waiting a predetermined time period; andresuming the drive mechanism for moving the barrier toward the retractedposition. In one embodiment the method includes, after waiting thepredetermined time period, repeating moving the barrier toward theretracted position, monitoring the current level, stopping movement ofthe barrier if the current level exceeds a predetermined threshold,incrementing a counter for each repetition, and ceasing the repetitionwhen the counter reaches a predetermined limit.

Another embodiment includes a method for retracting a pressurized vaporbarrier from a passageway. The method comprises receiving an egressrequest from an external source, retracting the barrier from thepassageway initially at a variable rate until the barrier reaches apredetermined position at which pressure on the barrier is at leastmarginally equalized, and retracting the barrier at a constant rateafter the barrier reaches the predetermined position, wherein thevariable rate is lower than the constant rate.

Yet another embodiment includes a method of retracting a vapor barrierfrom a passageway. The method comprises retracting the barrier from thepassageway with a drive system that exerts a retracting force on thebarrier related to a resistance force opposing the retracting force,wherein the drive system has a defined power limit, stopping the drivesystem if the retracting force causes the drive system to reach thepower limit, incrementing a first counter when the drive system isstopped, pausing a predetermined time period, and comparing the firstcounter to a first predetermined value. If the first counter has notreached the first predetermined value, retracting the barrier. If thefirst counter has reached the first predetermined value, moving thebarrier toward a deployed position by exerting a deploying force on thebarrier with the drive system. The method also includes incrementing asecond counter when the drive system moves the barrier toward thedeployed position, and comparing the second counter to a secondpredetermined value. If the second counter has reached the secondpredetermined value, the control system enters a fail state; and aftermoving the barrier toward the deployed position, retracts the barrier.The method can include pausing the predetermined time period is afunction of at least one of the first or second counters, such thatsuccessive time periods are longer or shorter than previous timeperiods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric illustration of a barrier system in accordancewith embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a partially schematic cross-sectional top elevation view of aportion of the barrier system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partially schematic top view of a barrier under a pressuredifferential.

FIG. 4 is a graph of a plurality of acceleration profiles.

FIG. 5 is a flow-chart diagram of a control sequence for use with thebarrier of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a flow-chart diagram of a control sequence for use with thebarrier of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a flow-chart diagram of a control sequence for use with thebarrier of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed generally toward barriersystems and associated methods, including vapor and/or fire barriersystems. One aspect of the present disclosure is directed toward abarrier system that includes a flexible barrier movable into and out ofposition in a passageway in a structure, such as a building. The barrieris flexible and mitigates migration of smoke, vapor, and other harmfulgasses through the passageway. The barrier is driven by a control systemand a power source, such as a motor, and is guided into place by guideelements generally placed along sides of the passageway. Preventing thepassage of smoke and vapor can result in creating a high pressuredifferential from one side of the barrier to the other, which can causethe flexible barrier to bow out of its relaxed plane. This bowing canimpede the motion of the barrier system between the deployed andretracted positions, perhaps because the bowing causes increasedfriction between the guide elements and the barrier, because thepressure pulls at the guides, because of an obstruction, or for otherreasons. The control system can raise the barrier toward the retractedposition at a controlled acceleration profile to equalize pressureacross the barrier by moving the barrier slowly at first until a portionof the pressure is released. The control system can then accelerate thebarrier's movement toward the retracted position once the pressure hasbeen equalized or marginally relieved.

Other aspects of the present disclosure are directed to an automaticretry mechanism for the barrier system. A motor that drives the barrierinto and out of position in the passageway (e.g., between the deployedand retracted positions) includes an electrical current limiter thatwill stop the motor if the motor begins to draw too much current becauseof an obstruction. When the current level is exceeded and the barrierhas not been retracted fully, a counter is incremented, the motor isstopped for a predetermined time, and then the motor is restarted andattempts to raise the barrier again. The cycle repeats until the counterreaches a predetermined number of attempts, in which case the system canenter a fail state.

Other aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a barrier systemwith a drive-down control mechanism. If barrier movement is inhibitedand current limiters reach their limit and stop the motor's operation,the barrier can be driven back a predetermined distance toward itsdeployed position. After waiting a short time, the control systemreverses the direction of movement of the barrier and attempts again toretract the barrier. A counter is incremented each iteration. Thissequence repeats until the counter reaches a predetermined limit, atwhich point the barrier system can enter a fail state.

Various embodiments of the disclosure will now be described. Thefollowing description provides specific details for a thoroughunderstanding and enabling description of these embodiments. One skilledin the art will understand, however, that the disclosure may bepracticed without many of these details. Additionally, some well-knownstructures or functions may not be shown or described in detail, so asto avoid unnecessarily obscuring the relevant description of the variousembodiments.

The terminology used in the description presented below is intended tobe interpreted in its broadest reasonable manner, even though it isbeing used in conjunction with a detailed description of certainspecific embodiments of the disclosure. Certain terms may even beemphasized below; however, any terminology intended to be interpreted inany restricted manner will be overtly and specifically defined as suchin this Detailed Description section. As used herein vapor includesgases or gases carrying particulates (e.g., solid and/or liquidparticulates), such as smoke, fumes, smoke with soot particles,contaminated air, noxious fumes, and/or the like.

References throughout the specification to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment and includedin at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, theappearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” invarious places throughout the specification are not necessarily allreferring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features,structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner inone or more embodiments.

FIGS. 1-7 illustrate various features of a barrier system in accordancewith various embodiments of the disclosure. FIG. 1 is an isometricillustration of the barrier system 100 that is located generallyproximate to at least one passageway or opening 103 in a structure 102.In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of openings 103 in thestructure 102 are a hoistway openings between elevator shafts and ahallway, such as an elevator lobby 105 on a floor 109 of a building. InFIG. 1, movable elevator doors 104 can prevent access to the shaft whenan elevator car is not present. However, as mentioned above, in theevent of a fire these elevator doors may not sufficiently prevent vaporsand/or fire from migrating through the opening 103. Accordingly, in theillustrated embodiment the barrier system 100 is positioned to sealablyextend across the elevator lobby between two opposing walls 108, whenthe barrier system 100 is in a deployed position (shown in FIG. 1),thereby substantially sealing off the elevator lobby 105 and theelevator shafts from the rest of the floor. For example, the barriersystem 100 can be positioned to at least approximately seal a passagewayor opening in the building structure between the elevator lobby and therest of the floor. In other embodiments, the barrier system can bepositioned proximate to one or more of the opening(s) 103 so that in thedeployed position the barrier system 100 at least approximately sealsthe associated elevator shaft(s) and the lobby 105 from one another.

In selected embodiments, the barrier system 100 includes a flexiblebarrier 110 that can include a fabric smoke barrier or curtain and/or afire barrier or curtain and in the deployed position can resist themovement or migration of vapors and/or fire (e.g., flames, burningmaterials, high temperature gases, and/or the like) between the elevatorlobby and the rest of the floor. When the barrier 110 is in a retractedposition (shown in FIG. 2), the portion of the elevator lobby isunblocked allowing an individual to pass to and from the elevators.

In FIG. 1, the barrier system 100 includes a drive assembly 140 coupledto the flexible barrier 110 to enable movement of the barrier betweenthe retracted and deployed position. For example, in selectedembodiments the drive assembly 140 can apply a force to move the barrier110 between the retracted and deployed position. In other embodiments,the drive assembly 140 can allow other forces (including gravity) tomove the barrier 110 between the deployed and retracted position, forexample, by at least partially releasing a force resisting the movementof the barrier 110.

The barrier system 100 includes a control system 150 coupled to thedrive assembly 140 and configured to command movement or operation ofthe drive assembly 140, which in turn can control movement of thebarrier 110. In FIG. 1, the control system 150 is also operably coupledto at least one external device 195 associated with the barrier system100, such as a fire alarm/detector, a smoke alarm/detector, an externalmonitoring system that monitors and displays the status of the barriersystem 100 (or provides remote control of the system).

In selected embodiments, the control system 150 can include a computingsystem or computer and can be configured with instructions to controlthe movement of the drive assembly, to control the movement of thebarrier, to communicate with external devices 195, to perform variousmonitoring tasks, to perform various calibration tasks, to provide ordisplay the status of at least a portion of the barrier system 100,and/or the like. In certain embodiments, the control system 150 caninclude a display for displaying associated information and/or a controlpanel or key pad that allows a user to provide inputs to the controlsystem 150 (e.g., to control the barrier system 100). The barrier system100 can also include various pathways 166 for communicating informationbetween components, transferring power (e.g., electrical power), and/orthe like. In selected embodiments, these pathways can include wires,connectors, fiber optic cables/devices, wireless communication devices,and/or the like.

For example, in one embodiment the external device 195 can include adetector for detecting fire or selected vapor(s) (e.g., smoke). Thedetector can have at least two states including a first state where thedetector does not sense the selected vapor(s) or fire (or where thedetector senses the absence of the selected vapor(s) or fire) and asecond state where the detector senses at least one of the selectedvapor(s) and fire. The control system 150 can be configured to commandthe drive assembly 140 to enable movement of the barrier 110 toward thedeployed position when the detector is in the second state. In certainembodiments, the control system 150 can be configured to command thedrive assembly 140 to enable movement of the barrier 110 toward theretracted position when the detector is in the first state and thebarrier 110 is not in the retracted position, for example, after thebarrier 110 has been deployed in response to the detector sensing theselected vapor(s) and the selected vapor(s) have cleared.

In FIG. 1, the housing assembly 170 includes an upper portion 171 adisposed in a ceiling structure, such as above an entry portion of theelevator lobby, and spanning between the opposing sidewalls of theelevator lobby. The housing assembly can include first and second sideportions 171 b and 171 c disposed in or on the opposing sidewalls of theelevator lobby and below the ends of the upper portion 171 a. Asdiscussed in further detail below, in selected embodiments when thebarrier 110 is in the deployed position the housing assembly 170 andbarrier 110 can form a tortuous path that resists the movement ofvapor(s) and/or fire (e.g., flames, high temperatures, etc.) between theelevator lobby 105 and the rest of the floor.

In selected embodiments the barrier 110 and barrier system 100 can beconfigured so that the barrier system 100 can meet various industrystandards to qualify as a smoke partition, a fire partition, a firebarrier, a smoke barrier, and/or a fire wall (e.g., in accordance withstandards associated with the International Building Code, InternationalCode Congress, NPFA Life Safety Code, etc.). For instance, in oneembodiment the barrier can include a flexible and foldable material thatincludes fiberglass that has been impregnated and/or coated with aflouropolymer such as a polytetraflouroethylene (PTFE) (e.g., such asTeflon®). In selected embodiments, a PTFE-coated material suitable foruse as a smoke barrier can include CHEMFAB® (e.g., with a thickness of0.003 to 0.004 inches), available from Saint-Gobain Performance PlasticsCorporation of Elk Grove Village, Ill. In other embodiments, the barrier110 can have other configurations, including being made from othermaterials and/or having other thicknesses.

FIG. 2 is a partially schematic cross-sectional top view illustration ofa guide 175, a side portion 171 c of the housing assembly 170, and aportion of the barrier 110. As shown in FIG. 2, certain embodimentsinclude an engagement portion 118, which can be flexible and can becoupled or bonded to other portions of the barrier 110 (e.g., using aheat sealing process). For example, in selected embodiments theengagement portion 118 can be made from the same material as the rest ofthe barrier 110 (e.g., the material can be doubled over and coupled orbonded to other portions of the barrier 110 to form the engagementportion 118). In other embodiments, the engagement portion 118 can bemade from a different material. In still other embodiments, theengagement portion 118 can have other arrangements. For example, inselected embodiments the second engagement portion 118 can be made bydoubling over portions of barrier material to create a sleeve thatslides up and down along the guide 175 as the barrier 110 moves into andout of position. Other engagement configurations between the engagementportion 118 are possible. For example, the guide 175 can comprise aslot, and the engagement portion 118 can comprise a T-shaped protrusionthat fits within the slot to guide the barrier. In selected embodiments,a part of at least one of the engagement portion 118 and the guide 175can include a non-stick or slippery surface (e.g., such as a PTFEmaterial) to help facilitate movement of the engagement portion 118relative to the guide 175. In addition, other embodiments include anengagement portion 118 with rigid or semi-rigid loops or rings (e.g.,with or without one or more bearing arrangements). In still otherembodiments, the engagement portion 118 and guide 175 can include one ormore linear bearings.

In FIG. 2, the second side portion 171 c of the housing assembly 170 isconfigured to resist the movement of vapor(s) and/or fire through thebarrier 110. For example, in the illustrated embodiment the second sideportion 171 c of the housing assembly 170 includes one or more sections172 that enclose the side 114 of the barrier 110 and the guide 175 witha small opening through which a portion of the barrier extends towardthe side 114 of the barrier 110. This small opening (e.g., a verticalslot) in combination with the barrier 110 and the rest of the secondside portion 171 c of the housing assembly 170 creates a torturous pathfor vapor(s) and/or fire to negotiate. Additionally, in selectedembodiments one or more sealing elements 173 can further aid inresisting the penetration of vapor(s) and/or fire into and/or out of thesecond side portion 171 c of the housing assembly 170. In certainembodiments these sealing elements 173 can include resilient blade-likematerials that contact portions of the barrier 110. In otherembodiments, the sealing elements 173 can have other arrangements. Forexample, in other embodiments the sealing elements can include foam,rubber, silicon, fabric, composite, plastic, and/or other materials andcan be configured as wipers, brushes, blade seals, and/or the like.Although for clarity of discussion FIG. 2 shows one side of the barrier110 and housing assembly 170, it is to be appreciated that other sidescan have similar or different configurations.

Accordingly, as discussed above, in selected embodiments the barriersystem 100 can resist the migration of vapor(s) and/or fire through thebarrier 110 when the barrier 110 is in the deployed position. Forexample, as discussed above, when the flexible barrier 110 is in thedeployed position, the barrier 110 can at least approximately sealagainst the floor of the elevator lobby 105 and/or a surface of thestructure. Additionally, portions of the housing assembly 170 incombination with the barrier 110 can resist the migration of vapor(s)and/or fire through the barrier 110. Therefore, in certain embodimentsthe barrier system 100 can at least approximately seal the elevatorlobby 105 and resist the migration of vapor(s) and/or fire through thebarrier 110 when the flexible barrier 110 is in the deployed position.

As discussed above, a control system 150 includes a computer orcomputing system configured with instructions to enable and controlmovement of the barrier. Additionally, in selected embodiments thecontrol system 150 can perform other functions, including supplyingelectrical power to other components (e.g., the control system 150 cansupply power from a power supply to the external device 195), monitoringvarious barrier system components, monitoring external devices, and/orcalibrating various components associated with the barrier system. Forexample, in certain embodiments the control system 150 can command thedrive assembly 140 to enable movement or to move the barrier toward thedeployed and retracted positions based on the information provided bythe external device 195 and/or other systems.

For instance, as discussed above, in selected embodiments where theexternal device 195 includes a smoke or fire alarm/detector, the controlsystem 150 can be configured to command the drive assembly 140 to enablemovement of the barrier 110 toward the deployed position when thedetector senses fire, smoke, and/or other types of selected vapor(s)(e.g., is in the second state). The control system 150 can also beconfigured to command the drive assembly 140 to enable movement of thebarrier 110 toward the retracted position when, as an example, thedetector does not sense fire, smoke, or selected vapor(s) (e.g., is inthe first state), and the barrier 110 is not in the retracted position.Accordingly, the control system 150 can be configured with instructionsto deploy the barrier 110 when a vapor and/or fire event is sensed(e.g., when the barrier 110 is not in the deployed position) and retractthe barrier 110 when the vapor and/or smoke event has cleared.

In still other embodiments, the control system 150 can be configuredwith instructions for performing other functions and/or with othercontrol logic. For example, in selected embodiments the control system150 can be configured to perform monitoring, backup, and/or calibrationfunctions. For instance, in selected embodiments the control system 150can be configured to monitor the health of various components associatedwith the barrier system and/or report the status of various componentsassociated with the barrier system to other systems.

For example, in selected embodiments the control system 150 can monitorcomponents associated with the barrier system external to the barriersystem including a power source and the external device 195. Forinstance, in selected embodiments the control system 150 can monitor theexternal device 195 by sending a signal to the external device 195and/or receiving a signal from the external device 195. The signal(s)can be used to determine whether the external device 195 is connected tothe barrier system 100 via pathway(s) 166, whether the external deviceis powered, whether the external device has a fault (e.g., ismalfunctioning), what fault(s) the external device has experienced,and/or the like.

In other embodiments, the control system 150 can monitor other barriersystem components, including components that comprise the barrier system100 itself. For example, in certain embodiments the control system 150can monitor the health of a power source, the drive assembly 140, and/orthe pathway 166. For example, in selected embodiments the control system150 can send and/or receive signals to determine battery chargestate(s), whether the battery charging unit(s) is/are working, whetherone or more batteries have overheated, and/or the like. In otherembodiments, the control system can monitor various components for anoverload condition.

FIG. 3 illustrates additional embodiments of the barrier system 100according to the present disclosure. The seal created by the deployedbarrier 110 can cause significant pressure 210 to build up on one sideof the barrier 110. In the absence of this pressure gradient, thebarrier 110 generally lies in a relaxed plane 220. In severalembodiments, the barrier 110 is made of a flexible material which canbow away from the relaxed plane due to an elevated pressure 210 on oneside of the barrier compared to the pressure on the other side of thebarrier (i.e., the pressure differential across the barrier).Accordingly the barrier can take a flexed shape 230 that can inhibitnormal movement of the barrier 110 toward or away from the deployedposition. For example, the flexed barrier shape 230 may pull on theguides 240, causing greater friction between the barrier 110 and theguides 240. Also, a portion of the barrier 110 in the flexed shape cancontact a portion of the housing 250, which may also inhibit the desiredbarrier movement, such as from the deployed position toward theretracted position or an intermediate position between the retracted anddeployed positions. To ensure normal barrier movement, the controlsystem 150 of the illustrated embodiment is configured to take certainsteps to ensure that the barrier 110 can move freely despite a pressuregradient, or to alleviate the pressure gradient. For example, asdiscussed in greater detail below, the system 100 can include apressure-release valve or hatch 260 to equalize pressure across thebarrier 110, In addition, the system 100 can alter an accelerationprofile for the barrier 110.

FIG. 4 is a graph of barrier speed against time showing severalacceleration profiles 260 for use with the barrier system 100 inaccordance with several embodiments of the present disclosure. In aramped profile 262, the barrier is moved at a reduced but increasingspeed for a predetermined time or distance before reaching full systemspeed 264, which in selected embodiments is approximately one foot persecond. This allows some pressure to dissipate (e.g., by heat, air orother gasses moving under the barrier 110 to decrease the pressuredifferential across the barrier) while the barrier moves more slowly,thus encountering reduced friction forces. Other acceleration profilesare possible, including ramped profiles of different rates 266,parabolic profiles 268 and 270, and a stepped profile 272. It is to beappreciated that these profiles can be combined or otherwiseinterchanged. In addition, the graph of FIG. 4 does not limit thepresent disclosure to any given movement speed for any of the profilesshown. Barrier systems 100 in accordance with the present disclosure mayhave differing power capabilities, and can be employed in variousenvironments where different speeds and acceleration profiles arepossible, all of which are encompassed by the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow-chart diagram of a control sequence 300 ofseveral embodiments in which the control system 150 can move the barrier110 to overcome an obstruction to normal movement. In the illustratedembodiment, an alarm 302 triggers the barrier to deploy 304 from theretracted position to the deployed position. When the barrier is in oris adjacent to the deployed position, as an example, an egress request306 can be provided from the control system 150, such as when thecontrol system receives an egress request from an occupant near thebarrier 110. For example, the external device 195 shown in FIG. 1 cancomprise a keypad or other input device through which the occupant canmake the egress request 306. In response, the control system 150initiates movement of the barrier 308 to retract the barrier toward theretracted position. The success of the retraction is judged 310: ifsuccessful, the control sequence 300 ends 312; if unsuccessful, thecontrol system 150 can wait a predetermined time 314. One measure ofsuccess is whether electrical current limiters coupled to the motor aretriggered by a given current threshold, causing the motors to stopbefore reaching the retracted position. The control system 150 can alsoincrement a counter 316 to record iterations. If the counter has reachedits limit 318, the sequence stops 312. If not, the control system canissue another command to retract the barrier 308. With this controlsequence 300, the control system 150 allows a short, predetermined time(1 second, 2 seconds, 60 seconds, etc.) for the obstruction to clear.For example, if excess pressure is the cause of the obstruction, thetime delay 314 can allow some of the pressure to dissipate eitherbecause, as an example, some heat, air and/or other gases escapes to theother side of the barrier 110, or for some other reason. Either way, thesequence 300 is a simple, effective way to ensure that the barrier 110can be raised, for example, by reducing the pressure differential acrossthe barrier, thereby allowing the barrier to at least partially relaxfrom the flexed position toward the relaxed plane, so as to reduce anyfrictional interference to the barrier's movement.

It is to be appreciated that various variables, such as the time delayand the counter limit can vary. In addition, the time delay can vary asa function of the counter position. For example, the first time delaymay be short (e.g., 1 second), but after a few attempts the time delaycan increase (e.g., 60 or 90 seconds) in hopes that a longer time delayallows the obstruction to resolved or alleviated.

FIG. 6 illustrates another control sequence 400 for the control system150 according to several embodiments of the present disclosure. An alarm402 is received and the control system causes the barrier to deploy 404to the deployed position. Sometime after the barrier is deployed, anegress request 406 is received that causes the control system 150 toretract the barrier 408 away from the deployed position. If judgedsuccessful 409 (e.g., if the barrier moves a sufficient distance fromthe deployed position or to the fully retracted position), the egresssequence exits 410. If unsuccessful, a current limiter is judged forwhether the electrical current in a motor has exceeded a threshold 412.If the limit has not been reached, the control system 150 continuesoperating and queries again whether the barrier has been successfullyretracted 408. If the current limit has been reached, a first countercan be incremented 414. If the first counter has not reached apredetermined limit 416 (e.g., 2, 3, 4, etc.), the control system 150executes a time delay 418 (e.g., 1 second, 2 seconds, 60 seconds, etc.)then attempts again to retract the barrier 408. If the counter hasreached its limit, the control system 150 executes a time delay 420,then reversed the barrier's motion and moves the barrier 110 back towardthe deployed position 422. The barrier 110 can be moved a small,predetermined distance, or can be deployed until the barrier 110 reachesthe fully deployed position. One advantage of this feature is that anobstruction to the barrier 110 may be overcome by reversing the movementof the barrier 110. Next, a second counter is incremented 424. If thecounter limit 426 has been reached, the control system 150 stops 428;otherwise, a time delay 430 is executed before the control system 150attempts again to retract the barrier 408.

The first counter 414 and the second counter 424 may have the samelimit, but are not necessarily the same. The two counters may beindependent, or cumulative. In addition, the various time delays 418,420, and 430 can have the same duration, but need not necessarily havethe same duration. The time delays can also run independently orcumulatively. Also, the time delays can be a function of the counterposition (any one or both of the counters), such that later iterationshave a longer or shorter time delay period than previous iterations. Itis to be appreciated that various alterations and combinations ofportions of the control sequence 400 are possible without departing fromthe scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative control sequence 500 in accordancewith another embodiment of the present disclosure. An alarm 502 isreceived and the controls system causes the barrier to deploy 504.Sometime after the barrier is moved to the deployed position, an egressrequest 506 is received that causes the control system 150 to retractthe barrier 508. If successful 510, the sequence exits 512. Ifunsuccessful, a judgment is made whether the current in a motor hasexceeded a predetermined threshold 514. If not, the sequence 500continues until the barrier 110 successfully retracts, or the currentlimit is reached. When the current limit is reached, a counter 516 isincremented, and if the counter has reached a predetermined limit (e.g.,2, 3, 4, 10, etc.), the control system 150 stops and the sequence 500ends. If the counter limit has not been reached, the control system 150executes a time delay 522, and then moves the barrier 110 toward thedeployed position 524. The motion of the barrier 110 can be reversed andmoved downward a small or large distance, or can be moved downward untilthe barrier reaches the fully deployed position. After moving downward,another time delay 526 is executed before attempting again to retractthe barrier 508.

In addition to the control sequences illustrated above with reference toFIGS. 5-7, it is to be appreciated that other control sequences arewithin the scope of the present disclosure. For example, certainelements can be omitted, repeated, or rearranged. Also, the system 100can include a pressure-release valve or hatch 260 (shown in FIG. 3) thatcan release pressurized fluid across the barrier 110 to equalize thepressure to ease barrier movement. The hatch 260 can be through thebarrier 110, or through an adjacent structure such as a wall or a door.The hatch 260 can be operated in response to sensing that the barrier110 has encountered resistance. In some embodiments, the hatch 260 caninfer that movement of the barrier 110 has been impeded if a currentlevel in a motor exceeds a predetermined threshold limit. The hatch 260can open in response to release the pressure, after which the movementcan resume.

In other embodiments, the barrier system 100 can have various otherarrangements. For example, although in illustrated embodiments thebarrier is shown moving in vertical plane between the retracted anddeployed positions. In other embodiments the barrier system can haveother orientations. For example, in selected embodiments the second endof the barrier can move in a horizontal plane between the retracted andthe deployed positions. Additionally, although in the illustratedembodiment the barrier is made from a flexible material, in otherembodiments the barrier can have other configurations. For example, inother embodiments at least a portion of the barrier can have rigid orsemi-rigid segments or portions. Furthermore, although in theillustrated embodiment the barrier system is shown associated with astructure that includes a building, in other embodiments the barriersystem can be associated with other structures. For example, in oneembodiment the barrier system is positioned to cover an opening in avehicle, such as a ship.

The above-detailed embodiments of the disclosure are not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosedabove. Specific embodiments of, and examples for, the disclosure aredescribed above for illustrative purposes, but those skilled in therelevant art will recognize that various equivalent modifications arepossible within the scope of the disclosure. For example, whereas stepsare presented in a given order, alternative embodiments may performsteps in a different order. The various aspects of embodiments describedherein can be combined and/or eliminated to provide further embodiments.Although advantages associated with certain embodiments of thedisclosure have been described in the context of those embodiments,other embodiments may also exhibit such advantages. Additionally, notall embodiments need necessarily exhibit such advantages to fall withinthe scope of the disclosure.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout thedescription and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and thelike are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to anexclusive or exhaustive sense, i.e., in a sense of “including, but notlimited to.” Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below,” andwords of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer tothis application as a whole and not to any particular portions of thisapplication. Use of the word “or” in reference to a list of items isintended to cover a) any of the items in the list, b) all of the itemsin the list, and c) any combination of the items in the list.

In general, the terms used in the following claims should not beconstrued to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosedin the specification unless the above-detailed description explicitlydefines such terms. In addition, the inventors contemplate variousaspects of the disclosure in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, theinventors reserve the right to add claims after filing the applicationto pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of thedisclosure.

1. A barrier system, comprising: a flexible barrier having a leadingedge, a trailing edge, and two side edges, the barrier being configuredto deploy across a passage to divide the passage into a first region anda second region to inhibit migration of vapor through the passage; aplurality of guide elements configured to engage the two side edges toguide the flexible barrier toward a deployed position across thepassage; a drive mechanism coupled to the flexible barrier andconfigured to deploy and retract the flexible barrier, wherein the drivemechanism draws electrical current to move the flexible barrier to andfrom the deployed position, and wherein the electrical current drawn bythe drive mechanism is related to a motion-resistance force opposingbarrier movement; a control system operatively coupled to the drivemechanism and configured to receive an egress request, the controlsystem being configured to activate the drive mechanism to retract theflexible barrier away from the deployed position in response to theegress request; a current limit monitor coupled to the control systemand configured to monitor the current drawn by the drive mechanism,wherein the control system is configured to stop movement of theflexible barrier if the electrical current drawn by the drive mechanismexceeds a threshold value related to the motion-resistant force, thecontrol system being further configured to wait a predetermined timeperiod before reactivating the drive mechanism resuming movement of theflexible barrier.
 2. The barrier system of claim 1, further comprising amanually operated switch switch positionable remote from the barrier andconfigured to provide an egress request signal to the control system,wherein the switch, when activated, transmits the egress request signalto the control system.
 3. The barrier system of claim 1 wherein thepredetermined time period is between approximately 1 and 2 seconds. 4.The barrier system of claim 1 wherein the control system is furtherconfigured such that after waiting the predetermined time period, thecontrol system reversed direction of the drive mechanism to move theflexible barrier toward a deployed position for a selected duration, andthen reverses the direction of the drive mechanism and attempts toretract the barrier away from the deployed position.
 5. The barriersystem of claim 1 wherein the barrier is configured to be positioned ina ceiling above the passageway and is configured to deploy downward suchthat the leading edge contacts a floor when in the deployed position. 6.The barrier system of claim 1 wherein the barrier is configured to bepositioned in a wall adjacent to a generally vertical passageway and isconfigured to deploy generally horizontally such that the leading edgecontacts an opposing wall when in the deployed position.
 7. A method ofpermitting egress through a flexible barrier deployed in a passageway toinhibit the migration of vapor through the passageway, wherein thebarrier divides the passageway between a first and a second region, themethod comprising: receiving an egress request to move the barriertoward a retracted position; moving the barrier toward the retractedposition with a drive mechanism in response to the egress request;monitoring a current level in the drive mechanism; stopping the drivemechanism if the current level exceeds a predetermined threshold;waiting a predetermined time period; and resuming the drive mechanismfor moving the barrier toward the retracted position.
 8. The method ofclaim 7, further comprising: incrementing a counter when the drivemechanism is stopped; and entering a fail state in which the drivemechanism is stopped.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein the fail statefurther comprises notifying an external system of the fail state. 10.The method of claim 7, further comprising opening a pressure-releasevalve across the barrier after waiting the predetermined time period andbefore resuming the drive mechanism.
 11. The method of claim 7 whereinthe predetermined time period comprises a first predetermined timeperiod, and wherein resuming barrier movement comprises: moving thebarrier toward the deployed position a predetermined distance; pausingbarrier movement for a second predetermined time period; and moving thebarrier toward the retracted position.
 12. The method of claim 7 whereinthe predetermined time period comprises at least 1 second.
 13. Themethod of claim 7 wherein the predetermined time period comprisesbetween 0 and 5 seconds.
 14. The method of claim 7 wherein after waitingthe predetermined time period, the method further comprises: repeatingmoving the barrier toward the retracted position, monitoring the currentlevel, and stopping movement of the barrier if the current level exceedsa predetermined threshold; incrementing a counter for each repetition;and ceasing the repetition when the counter reaches a predeterminedlimit.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising at least one ofincreasing or decreasing the predetermined time period for eachrepetition.
 16. The method of claim 7 wherein the current level in thedrive mechanism is configured to increase if movement of the barrier isobstructed.
 17. The method of claim 7 wherein moving the barrier towardthe retracted position comprises relieving a pressure differentialbetween the first and second regions.
 18. A method for retracting apressurized vapor barrier from a passageway, the method comprising:receiving an egress request from an external source; retracting thebarrier from the passageway initially at a variable rate until thebarrier reaches a predetermined position at which pressure on thebarrier is at least marginally equalized; and retracting the barrier ata constant rate after the barrier reaches the predetermined position,wherein the variable rate is lower than the constant rate.
 19. Themethod of claim 18 wherein the variable rate comprises a monotonicallyincreasing rate until the variable rate reaches the constant rate. 20.The method of claim 18 wherein the variable rate comprises a steppedrate, wherein the stepped rate comprises at least one rate lower thanthe constant rate.
 21. The method of claim 18 wherein the variable ratecomprises at least one of a non-linearly increasing rate or anon-linearly decreasing rate.
 22. The method of claim 18 wherein thevariable rate comprises a linearly increasing rate until the variablerate reaches the constant rate.
 23. A method of retracting a vaporbarrier from a passageway, the method comprising: retracting the barrierfrom the passageway with a drive system that exerts a retracting forceon the barrier related to a resistance force opposing the retractingforce, wherein the drive system has a defined power limit; stopping thedrive system if the retracting force causes the drive system to reachthe power limit; incrementing a first counter when the drive system isstopped; pausing a predetermined time period; comparing the firstcounter to a first predetermined value; if the first counter has notreached the first predetermined value, retracting the barrier; if thefirst counter has reached the first predetermined value, moving thebarrier toward a deployed position by exerting a deploying force on thebarrier with the drive system; incrementing a second counter when thedrive system moves the barrier toward the deployed position; comparingthe second counter to a second predetermined value; if the secondcounter has reached the second predetermined value, entering a failstate; and after moving the barrier toward the deployed position,retracting the barrier.
 23. The method of claim 23 wherein the drivesystem comprises an electrical motor configured to draw electricalcurrent generally proportional to the resistance force.
 25. The methodof claim 23 wherein the power limit is below a safe operating limit ofthe drive system, such that the drive system reaches the defined powerlimit before substantially risking harm to the drive system.
 26. Themethod of claim 23 wherein the first and second counters compriseelectronic counters stored in a computer-readable memory.
 27. The methodof claim 23 wherein the pausing the predetermined time period comprisespausing between approximately 1 and 2 seconds.
 28. The method of claim23 wherein the predetermined time period is a function of at least oneof the first or second counters, such that successive time periods arelonger or shorter than previous time periods.
 29. The method of claim 23wherein retracting the barrier from the passageway comprises: moving thebarrier initially at a variable rate until the barrier reaches apredetermined position at which pressure on the barrier is at leastmarginally equalized; and retracting the barrier at a constant rateafter the barrier reaches the predetermined position, wherein thevariable rate is lower than the constant rate.
 30. The method of claim29 wherein the variable rate comprises a linearly increasing rate untilthe barrier reaches the constant rate.